The Best And Worst Of WWE NXT 2/15/17: Bate & Switch

Previously on the Best and Worst of WWE NXT: New NXT Champion Bobby Roode gloated, SAnitY won two big matches, and Peyton Royce and Billie Kay exited a room by holding hands, laughing and hopping away in the same direction.

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@Mr. Royal Rumble, JSF Totally spot on. I wanted to be indignant towards B-Stro’s take, but then it just became, ‘nah, from all angles, that would be the appropriate take here.’
Those guys brushing off Ellering’s ominous threat was great in terms of building to their eventual match. I want to see DIY pull off the miracle win, BUT I also want to see Authors of Pain plant them for their disrespect. Both sides benefit from that no-sell.

Like Rick James, Pete Dunne was a habitual line stepper in the UK tournament. I loved that after being warned and scolded and threatened a very British beatdown from Regal and almost thrown out of the tournament, that he kept on attacking people after the match! Excited to see Andrews again too, freed from the dungeon of TNA’s X-Division.

That women’s tag was a little rough, but that boot from Billie to Ember was the first thing that ever looked like it hurt Ember. Agree that there’s no sense in not having Billie and Peyton in the contender’s match after they won.

Thanks for the early NXT reminders. As much of a treat it is to see people like Nakamura, Joe and Owens on NXT, that early expiremental vibe certainly is almost non-existent. It was great seeing them come up with ideas like Tyler Breeze and Bayley and let low level main roster people like Tyson Kidd shine. The Takeovers are consistently amazing, but there is definitely a sameness starting to wash over the weekly shows.

I remember being so bummed out when they let go of Ohno. He was putting in good work, (him vs. Regal is still one of my favorite matches ever). I’m hoping he shines even brighter in his second NXT run.

Whoa! I had no idea Tyler was married to her. That’s now his most impressive non-wrestling accomplishment, surpassing that time he single-handedly lead Team UpUpDownDown to a dodgeball victory on WWE Game Night.

Honestly I would have loved it way more if Liv Morgan had managed to convince Asuka to be her partner. I still think “because I’m bored” Asuka could be one of the most entertaining characters in wrestling, just having her randomly interject herself in various goings ons because she has nothing better to do and loves any excuse she can get to kick something. Plus it would be a super fun dynamic, like after beating her so quickly she doesn’t even see Liv as a person anymore, and instead sees her as a cute, defenseless puppy or something, and she can’t help but humor her whenever she asks for something.

And of course you could have had them lose to Peyton and Kay, basically the same way they did this week, have Asuka get miffed for Liv costing her her a loss (even if it’s just a tag match and she didn’t actually get beaten), and destroy her so hard that Liv’s actual friend Ember Moon has to come out and save her.